Supermarket layout and promoting healthy eating

Modern grocery shopping is geared towards buying in bulk. Buying more than the necessities is the theme to major retailers like Costco and Walmart around the country. As Nestle mentions, the layout of the stores is geared towards having the highest selling foods in the areas that have the highest flow of people. Retail managers understand that there’s a science behind a store’s floor plan and how consumers shop. Focus groups, sales data and general psychology have helped managers understand shopper habits, which have led to the formation of “effective floor plans and shelf layouts.” Groceries nationwide use the same basic layout principles to create a general flow to their stores that keeps customers efficiently moving through the aisles and spending money. Grocery stores stock the items shoppers buy most often at the back of the store, forcing them to travel through other tempting aisles to pick up the essentials. Items such as meat, eggs, dairy and bread are strategically placed in the back of the store, making it hard for shoppers to resist grabbing other items when making a quick trip to the grocery. Also, grocery stores will often times have the bakeries and flowers in the front. The smell of freshly baked breads and pastries has been proven to increase spending habits since consumers will be hungrier and more willing to spend. The same is true with bright flowers in the entrance since it boosts the image of the supermarket as well as keeps the entrance smelling fresh. In the end, how can we educate supermarkets on using these strategies to promote healthier eating?